The Jackal Gang's Reaction

Starry Heaven.

The lights flashed in a dizzying blur as voluptuous, pale bodies danced gracefully to the music.

Clinking his glass, Katemor let out a hearty laugh, exchanging pleasantries and talking business with his new client.

Though built like a brick wall, he was surprisingly silver-tongued. The conversation quickly grew lively, both men acting as if they were long-lost brothers.

The door to the private room was flung open, and a Jackal Gang lackey rushed inside.

His sudden intrusion was incredibly ill-timed, drawing the stares of everyone present, but the matter was urgent.

Feeling Katemor's hostile glare, the lackey could only steel himself, hurry forward, and lean in to whisper.

“Boss, the target is too tough.”

Glaring at him fiercely, Katemor hurled his wine glass directly at the lackey's head.

The lackey didn't dare dodge. The glass cut a bloody gash near his eye, and wine trickled down his face.

“A bunch of useless trash! You can't even get a simple job done, and now you're bothering me while I'm doing business?

Can't you see we have a guest? If the target is tough, why didn't you just bring more men? Doesn't he just work out occasionally? If all else fails, borrow some guys from the other sectors. Surely a dozen of you can pin down one guy, right?”

Annoyed, Katemor pulled out a cigarette and lit it, muttering curses.

Naturally, there were factions within the 【Jackal Gang】, divided into four territories: north, south, east, and west. Katemor had started as a low-level thug before working his way up to become the boss of the East Sector.

Wherever there are people, there is conflict; and wherever there are factions, there is a cutthroat world.

This particular guest was a very important figure with a significant background.

With his underling reporting their incompetence right now, what would the guest think?

Wouldn't it make him look weak and incapable of handling his responsibilities?

“Fucking asking for a beating...”

The lackey, of course, didn't dare show any attitude. He could only nod repeatedly with a forced smile.

“But... something completely unexpected really did happen.”

He then proceeded to describe the events in the alleyway from earlier today, adding plenty of embellishments.

Naturally, Katemor had several other lackeys around to keep the mood lively. Upon hearing Bai Xiaodu's threats, the crowd instantly grew incensed.

“Damn it! We've been operating in Pingshan District for so long, and we've always been the ones picking fights! This is the first time anyone has dared to threaten the 【Jackal Gang】!”

“What are we waiting for?! If we just let this slide, where will the 【Jackal Gang】's reputation go? To think he's acting this arrogant just because he knows a single spell! Boss, I remember your martial arts are highly proficient as well. How about I call a few more brothers to back us up?”

Finishing his cigarette quickly, Katemor immediately lit another, the curling white smoke drifting across his grim face.

“Sure.”

He suddenly reached out and grabbed the collar of the lackey who had just offered to call more brothers.

Clutched tightly by his collar, the lackey's impassioned expression quickly dissolved into utter bewilderment.

“B... Boss?”

Katemor snorted coldly.

“You lead the charge.”

Fear instantly washed over the lackey's face, and he shook his head frantically.

“No, no, no, Boss! He knows spells! But don't you also know martial arts? Just say the word, and we promise to—”

Katemor suddenly smiled.

Raising his hand, he delivered a savage slap. The crack was loud and clear, and the lackey's cheek instantly swelled up.

“Motherfucker, so you do know he can cast spells!

You bring me nothing but a report that he froze someone's arm off, and you expect me to gamble on whether he knows 【Freezing Ray】, 【Ice Shield】, or some kind of counter-type spell?

Do you guys think that if I take a hit from a Proficient-tier spell, I won't die or end up crippled?

Why the hell should I risk my life for a bunch of useless trash like you? Get those two with the frozen arms treated, give them some money, and send them home.”

Tossing the lackey aside, Katemor took a huge swig of premium red wine.

Trembling, another lackey asked in a low voice,

“Then... what about that grey fox-kin's kid?”

Furious, Katemor hurled his glass at the speaker's head. A crimson fluid—unclear if it was blood or wine—dripped down.

Katemor practically roared,

“If you think you have what it takes to deal with an unknown, highly vindictive Mage, then go ahead, cripple that kid and throw him in the lake to drown! Do you understand me?! You idiot!”

“...Boss, we'll take care of it.”

This time, absolutely no one dared to speak. The ones who had yelled the loudest earlier were now the quickest to flee.

Katemor cursed under his breath, taking quite a while to calm down.

“These fools can't do anything right, but they're great at messing things up. They just want to make enemies for me so they can take my place.”

Waving his hand to dismiss the issue, Katemor put his smile back on for his client.

“Let's not talk about these annoying trifles. If you have any requests, I wouldn't trust these lackeys anyway. I'll personally handle it for you.”

Clinking his glass, the guest smiled.

He was very young and handsome, with silver hair and red eyes, dressed in an expensive, custom-tailored suit.

The filth of the large private room seemed completely at odds with this gentleman.

Of course, that was if one ignored the two petite maidservants lying beside him, their eyes filled with terror and bloody puncture wounds on their necks.

“Servants are always like this, squawking like sparrows over the slightest thing.

My visit this time is indeed to ask a favor of you. Once it's done, the profits from reselling those potions will speak for themselves. Can you handle it?”

Katemor leaned back and laughed heartily once more.

“As long as you trust me.”

The gentleman nodded.

“Good. Help me get rid of a guy named Bai Xiaodu. He's a silver fox-kin demihuman. His overall strength is mediocre, but his Perception attribute might be a bit high. To prevent him from resisting and causing a scene, you'd better bring fewer men and more gear—ideally some anesthetic spray.

Of course, there's no need to kill him. Just break his arms, legs, and disfigure his face so he'll have the sense to get the hell out of Pingshan District.”

Katemor's face froze.

“Are you serious?”

The handsome young vampire frowned.

“Do you think I'm joking? Would I joke about those precious potions?”

Waving his hands, Katemor quickly denied it.

“No, no, no, I mean... are you sure this Bai Xiaodu guy is just an ordinary person with slightly higher Perception?”

The vampire countered,

“What else would he be? I have his file right here, just got it yesterday. Do you want to take a look? It even has his ID number and both his public and private phone numbers.”

Katemor shook his head.

“I'm sorry, but I can't take this job.”

The vampire's face darkened with displeasure.

“Why? Is there some powerful figure backing him that even my vampire authority couldn't uncover?”

Katemor answered honestly,

“He's the exact person I just told my underlings to deal with.

While I consider myself quite capable, going against a Mage-type professional with unknown information and unknown skills—especially when you want me to cover my tracks—means making an enemy of him. Naturally...”

He cupped his hands.

“You had better find someone else more qualified.”

Snorting coldly, the young vampire slammed down his glass and strode out, ignoring the tense, uneasy looks of everyone in the private room.

“I'd like to see what he's truly capable of.

Just a lowborn who happened to catch the boss's eye. Does he really think he can ascend to the heavens in a single bound?”

He recalled the detailed reports dictated by his bodyguards, filled with descriptions of intimate and nauseating interactions.

He was practically gnashing his teeth in hatred, his heart bleeding.

“What right does he have? Just what right does he have?!”

...

While Jedoli was gnashing his teeth in fury,

in a nearby alleyway, a faint blue mechanical eye was watching him.

“Tsk, what a waste of my energy fabricating those memories.

I hope you'll make a decent experience pack...”